With projections suggesting that 1.2 billion people will be obese by 2030, obesity may be the single greatest threat to global health. As strong predictors of comorbidity, oral healthcare providers can no longer ignore obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in everyday patient care.

This revelatory CE webinar empowers oral healthcare providers to address obesity in their practices by providing cut-to-the-chase explanations about the interrelationship between obesity (and Metabolic Syndrome) and periodontal disease, a new model for risk assessment that focuses on cumulative inflammatory burden, and scientifically-founded, key messages for patient education about how obesity influences oral health. The CE webinar also explores barriers to implementing obesity-related interventions in the dental setting, and suggests a model for bi-lateral point-of-care screening and referral with the medical community, of patients at risk for obesity and periodontal disease.

After completing this CE webinar, participants will be able to:
• Explain the biological mechanism that is theorized to link obesity and Metabolic Syndrome to periodontal disease.
• Describe the concept of cumulative inflammatory burden and recognize patients who are obese and who may be ‘inflammatory-primed’; make appropriate referrals for weight loss counseling/help.
• Identify barriers in implementing obesity-related intervention in your own dental/dental hygiene practice.
• Educate patients about the impact of overweight and obesity on periodontal health.
• Build collaboration with the medical community by cross-screening and cross-referring patients at risk for obesity and periodontal disease.   ( disclaimer , AGD PACE Statement )